The Bill on Prevention of and Protection from Discrimination has been filibustered in the Parliament for 8 months: its passing is being arbitrarily procrastinated and the citizens are deprived of effective and efficient mechanisms that would protect them from discrimination they face on a daily basis.
The past legislation didn’t accomplish its goal, i.e. it didn’t contribute to efficient and effective protection from discrimination. The mapped drawbacks of the law in effect were overcome by the Bill which prescribes professionalization of the Commission for Protection from Discrimination, stricter criteria for electing members of the Commission, public election of members of the Commission, shorter deadlines in the discrimination protection proceeding, strengthening the independence of this body and extending its remit. The Bill also abolishes the payment of court fees on the part of citizens that initiate discrimination proceedings and allows lawsuit for protection of the interest of public order (actio popularis). Additionally, the bill includes sexual orientation and gender identity as basis for discrimination, while the existing forms of discrimination are additionally regulated – segregation is explicitly recognized as form of discrimination, which is highly significant for the Roma population and people with disabilities.
We emphasize that this law needs to be passed in order to build an equal and inclusive society in which discrimination against any citizen won’t be glossed over. Roma population, women, people with disabilities, LGBTI community, poor and socially excluded citizens, different ethnic communities, sex workers, people living with HIV, drug users and other various patient groups are facing marginalization as a consequence of the discriminatory practices of institutions and prejudices of the surroundings.
By procrastinating and blocking the passing of this Law, the Parliament jeopardizes the process of European integrations. The European Commission asked for amendments to the law pursuant to the European acquis back in 2011. Embassies endorsing Macedonia’s European integrations have said that passing the law is a condition for a positive report on Macedonia and for start of the accession talks. As proposed by the Parliament, the Bill on Prevention of and Protection from Discrimination has received Venice Commission’s positive opinion, which is yet another confirmation of its quality and benefits for the citizens of our country.
In order to meet the deadlines for the next European Commission report and avoid further procrastination and human rights violations, we ask the Parliament to schedule an urgent session of the Committee on Labor and Social Policy and finish the legislative procedure prior to the presidential elections.
Organizers and supporters of the demands are 100 associations, unions and foundations and networks of civil society organizations.
Network for protection from discrimination
National network for fight against homophobia and transphobia
Gender equality platform
Network 23
Roma rights advocating network
Macedonian Platform against Poverty
Platform for sustainability of programs for prevention, care and support for HIV
1. Coalition Margins
2. HERE – Health Education and Research Association
3. Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of Women ESE
4. HOPS – Healthy Options Project Skopje
5. Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia
6. LEGBT Support Center
7. Macedonian Young Lawyers Association
8. Sonce – Association for Roma Democratic Development
9. Foundation Open Society – Macedonia
10. European Policy Institute – Skopje
11. Institute for Human Rights
12. Association for Support of People Living with HIV – Stronger Together
13. Association for a Critical Approach to Gender and Sexuality Subversive Front
14. EGAL Equality for Gays and Lesbians
15. Civil – Center for Freedom
16. European Center for Rights of Roma
17. STAR-STAR – Association for Support of Marginalized Workers
18. Transparency International Macedonia
19. Roma Resource Center
20. Roma Women and Youth Association Luludi
21. Dives – Vinica
22. Nevo Djivdipe – Vinica
23. Mesechina – Debar
24. Multiethnic Society for Human Rights – Shtip
25. Youth Roma Organization Bela Kula – Kichevo
26. Association for Perspective Integration and Development Roma Perspective – Prilep
27. DROM – Kumanovo
28. Roma Association Avena – Kochani
29. National Democratic Institute
30. Shuto Orizari Women’s Initiative
31. NGO Svetla Idnina – Kochani
32. Association Center for Educational Support of Children Dendo Vas – Skopje
33. Association for Development of Social Activities Kham Sijan – Skopje
34. Institute for Research and Policy Analysis Romalitico
35. NGO Prerodba – Kichevo
36. Association for Rights of Roma – Shtip
37. Association of Roma Lawyers – Skopje
38. Association for Education and Counseling Dr. Berat – Skopje
39. Roma Community Development Center Bairska Svetlina – Bitola
40. Association MIR Skopje
41. Roma Organization of Women of Macedonia DAJA – Kumanovo
42. Roma Youth Center – Kumanovo
43. Citizens’ Association Romaversitas
44. Sumnal – Association for Development of Roma Community
45. Association Terno Vas – Berovo
46. Regional Roma Educational Youth Association – Kratovo
47. Citizens’ Association Make Your Own Path – Kochani
48. Association for Development Initiatives ZENITH – Skopje
49. Republic Center for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – Poraka
50. Polio Plus – Movement Against Disability
51. Association of Students and Youth with Handicap – Skopje
52. Association SOLEM
53. Association New Spark Skopje
54. Fight Like a Woman
55. National Council for Gender Equality SOZHM
56. Citizens’ Association for Promotion of Women’s Activity Tiiiit! Inc., Skopje
57. Together Advancing Common Trust TACT – Skopje
58. Association Women`s Forum Tetovo
59. Association for Advancement of Gender Equality “Akcija Zdruzenska” – Skopje
60. Reactor – Research in Action
61. Association Doverba
62. Red Cross of the Republic of Macedonia
63. NGO Opcija Ohrid
64. Zona Kavadarci
65. Center for Development and Promotion of Public Life – Tetovo
66. HELP Gostivar
67. Youth Club – Shtip
68. Izbor – Strumica
69. PULS – Kumanovo
70. Inter-Ethnic Project – Gostivar
71. Via Vita – Bitola
72. Charity Organization Majka – Kumanovo
73. Women’s Organization of the City of Skopje
74. Association of Finance Officers of the Local Governments and Public Enterprises
75. Youth Educational Forum – YEF
76. Coalition All for Fair Trials
77. KHAM Delchevo
78. Multikultura
79. Council for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency – SPPMD
80. Association of Citizens and Educationists for Protection of the Rights of Women and Children LIL – Skopje
81. Association for Development and Advancement of Roma Community ROMANO CHACHIPE
82. Center for Social Initiatives – Nadez
83. Save Liver Association of Patients – SLAP
84. Youth Cultural Center – Bitola
85. Association for Treating Persons with Autism, ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome In My World
86. Initiative for Development and Inclusion of Communities – IDIC
87. Association Humanity
88. Women Civic Initiative ANTICO
89. Justitia
90. Stanica P.E.T
91. Center for Integrations and Support SIEC Macedonia
92. Young European Federalists – JEF Macedonia
93. National Farmers’ Federation
94. National Roma Centrum
95. Civil Association for Support of Persons Suffering Mental Illness and Other Marginalized Groups
96. Association Misla
97. National Network to End Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
98. Association for Educational Development – Ekvalis
99. National Youth Council of Macedonia
100. Rural Coalition
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28 February 2019